Will Pennsbury Build A New High School?

The Pennsbury School District’s two-building high school is most likely history. The school board and district have been exploring a plan to either demolish the East Campus and expand West Campus or build a completely new building at the Falls Township site.

Officials have said the expansion cost could start at $166.4 million and the price tag for a new building could top out at $213.2 million.

In almost every scenario, the district is looking at demolishing the East Campus and using the area as a bus depot. The district could renovate and expand the West Campus, including adding a ninth-grade academy or tear down the East and West campuses and build an entirely new building.

The school board and administration seem to be locked in that something needs to happen, as the recently-approved budget with a tax increase includes putting money aside for capital projects.

The 1960s-era East Campus is aging and needs significant work. The more recently renovated West Campus also needs upgrades, officials have said.

With Pennsbury’s exploration of a merger with the Morrisville Borough School District off the table, Superintendent Dr. Thomas Smith said the district would need a high school with room for 2,800 students. When Pennsbury was considering a merger, the district estimated the high school would need to have room for 3,100 students.

Smith announced a tentative project timeline at Thursday evening’s meeting. He said the district will have community meetings, survey the site, assemble a committee through November. In November and December, the district will put out a request for proposals for an architect and for school design. January 2024 through June 2025 will be for a design committee, school visits, community presentations, design and construction approvals. If the plan moves forward, shovels would be in the ground by summer 2025 and the new building would be open by winter 2029.

At past board meetings, officials have discussed the need for upgraded facilities for the high school and also to accommodate potential population growth.

Earlier this spring, teachers spoke up at board meetings to discuss the needs for a new high school. They have said the roof at the East Campus leaks, there is damage to the electrical system, the East Campus gym is outdated, and an uneven heating and air conditioning system is in the building. Teachers have also raised safety concerns because students have to travel between the two buildings.

Teacher Amanda Durham told the school board her classroom is constantly dealing with leaks.

“We’re reaching a point where these problems can no longer be triaged. My classroom leaks, as most of the second floor classrooms do. I have taught under a tent to prevent being dripped on,” she said.

Smith acknowledged the safety concerns that come from having two buildings.

“The high school is a bear of a project,” Smith said in May. “We need to really dedicate a lot of time and effort to this.”

Some community members have raised concerns in the past about the potential cost of the projects.

Smith has pledged to take input from the community and students as the district plans for the future.

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